Buying Guides

The Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is a tax payable to the Provincial Government by purchasers of real estate. The tax applies to all types of real estate, whether residential, commercial or industrial. The amount of PTT is calculated at 1% on $200,00 ... more

Ensure that your offer to purchase is subject to your approval of at least 24 months of Strata Council minutes (if applicable), 24 months of Annual General and Special General Meeting minutes, current Registered Strata By-Laws and disclosure of any ... more

The term Co-op as used by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, is not to be confused with Government subsidized housing.  Prior to the implementation of the Condominium Act in the 1970’s (now the Strata Property Act), Co-op ownership wa ... more

How Much Should I Budget for Closing Costs? Whether you’re looking to buy your first home, or trading up to a larger one, there are many costs – on top of the purchase price – that you must figure into your calculation of affordabi ... more

Often times, Buyers tell me that they prefer to work on their own, and will buy directly from the Listing Realtor® when they find the right property.  If this is you, kudos!  You are probably a smart business person, armed with access to on-line lis ... more

6 Things You Must Know About Mortgages Before You Buy Mortgage regulations have changed significantly over the last few years, making your options wider than ever. Subtle changes in the way you approach mortgage shopping, and even small differences ... more

When shopping for a mortgage, you’ll need to decide whether it is more beneficial to have and "Open" or "Closed" mortgage.  Each one offers benefits, depending on your personal circumstances, and financial goals. An Open mortgage is generally ... more

8 Simple Secrets to Avoid Costly Mistakes Buying Your Dream Home So you've finally decided to buy your next home. Problem is while you were making up your mind, other fence sitters jumped into the home market too. Now you may be facing some competit ... more

9 Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them No matter which way you look at it buying a home is a major investment. For many homebuyers however, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of the man ... more

Stop Paying Rent – A guide to becoming a homeowner rather than a home-renter From basement suites to full houses, renting is a huge business in this country. If you currently rent, you know that paying out those hundreds of dollars every month ... more

6 Mistakes to Avoid When Trading Up to a Larger Home Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to co ... more

Saving Money – A guide to saving thousands of dollars when buying a home Buying a home is one of the most expensive purchases you'll ever make, and by following some simple guidelines you can stand to save thousands of dollars. If you're like ... more